• Not on our mailing list? Sign up now!

Grants Policy

Generally

All licensed Clergy and Readers in the diocese of Chelmsford are entitled to a CME grant. Diocesan Synod has approved these personal CME grants amounting to approximately 1% of an incumbent’s stipend each year. They are allocated for use over a three-year period. The current triennium’s grant is £220 per annum, that is £660 which can be spent at any time between 2008 and 2010.

CME grants are centrally budgeted and are allocated by Area Advisers on request. The fundamental criterion is whether making a grant will help broaden and deepen the ministry of the individual requesting it, in the light of consultation and reflection about their recognised learning needs. Grants may be used to develop ministry skills, to deepen faith, and to nourish spirituality.

Grants are not available as of right to those who are not licensed. However, the Bishop and CME staff have the freedom to award discretionary CME grants for specific events to active, retired and PTO ministers where their ministry would be enhanced for the benefit of the parish or diocese.

Training reports are required after events usually in a simple standard form which is sent out with the grant. These act as valuable information for Advisers in considering future grants.

Advisers will usually encourage applicants to spread the use of their grants in such a way that there is some money available in each year of the triennium. They will however agree to the use of a greater proportion of the grant than the annual figure where appropriate, this being the main purpose of organising the grants in three yearly cycles.

Advisers will also seek to encourage each person to use their grant in a balanced and varied way, rather then always using it for similar types of event. In this way personal and professional development is maximised. It is hoped to develop a tool to assist clergy in reviewing their balance of use in due course.

Applications

Those entitled to CME grants are asked first to apply in writing or be e mail to the CME Administrator. She will, in many circumstances, be able approve the grant. In cases of doubt the application will be referred to the relevant Area Adviser, who will consult with the applicant where necessary and make a decision. Area Advisers are always keen to have the opportunity to discuss your CME needs and plans with you.

Specific Matters

Retreats

CME grants may be available towards the cost of retreats. However, the Area Advisers will seek to ensure that this is not the only use which any person makes of their grant money. Whilst retreats are an appropriate use of the fund, it is clear that the fund’s prime purpose is professional development and training and this should be evident in its use and allocation. Normally the maximum which may be used in any triennium for retreats is 50% of the total available grant. Parishes should also help ministers towards the cost of retreats as they are necessary part of ministry.

Celebrations

From time to time people request funding towards the cost of what might be called a celebration (examples include Spring Harvest, New Wine, Greenbelt or Forward in Faith conventions). It has been agreed that people may claim up to £100 in each triennium towards such events, but no more. The reason for this is that, whilst such events are a worthwhile support and encouragement in people’s ministry, they are not primarily meant to be training and education courses and as such it is appropriate to encourage people to look beyond such events for the use of their CME grant. The grant may not be used towards events which are primarily the business events of an organisation, as there must be some CME component in an event for it to qualify for a grant.

Books

It is diocesan policy that the CME grant should not be used for the purchase of books. Whilst reading is clearly a useful part of people’s CME it is not the purpose of the Diocesan CME grant to fund this. Parishes are encouraged to consider making a book grant to authorised ministers.

Diocesan Events

From time to time the diocese organises events which are funded through the CME grants budget. For such events information is made clearly available as to how much will be taken from your CME grant allocation, and how to arrange for this to happen. This applies to some one day events and also to residential events.

Parish responsibility

PCC’s are encouraged to consider that the CME of their clergy and Readers is part of their responsibility as well as that of the Diocese. It is therefore our policy that travelling expenses will not be funded from CME grants; rather parishes should cover these costs. Accommodation at residential courses will usually be part of the fee for the course. Where accommodation is required for other reasons (such as overnight accommodation for the convenience of the applicant) this will usually be payable either by the applicant themselves or by the parish, but will not be part of the CME grant.

Other Grants

Sabbaticals

In addition to the general CME grant, there is a standard grant available where a person, with the agreement of the Bishop and the Adviser, has arranged for a sabbatical. Details of the provisions of the Sabbaticals Grant are contained in separate guidelines.

Advanced Study Grants

Each year there are a number of grants available for those undertaking advanced study (which usually means studies at Masters or doctoral level) where there will be demonstrable benefit to both the individual and their current or future ministry for the church. Application for this money is to be made before the end of May to the Director for Mission and Ministry. Those contemplating advanced study should discuss and agree the time and other implications of such study with their Area Adviser, bishop and with their wardens and PCC prior to application.

Deanery Grants

Further to the above grants there is a sum available in the CME budget for Deanery events. Deans may apply to the Area Adviser, each of whom will be able to allocate an agreed sum per year for Deanery training events across their Area.

LOB

Those within the West Ham Archdeaconry may be eligible for grants from the London Over the Border Council. Details of this provision are available from the secretary to the Archdeacon of West Ham.

Other grant sources

The CME team has access to some information about other grant sources, although it is worth noting that they are not numerous. There is also in the diocesan office a copy of the CAF CD ROM of grant making bodies, which people are free to access if needed. (access via CME Administrator)

Payments

It is diocesan policy that where possible payments should be made through BACS direct to the grantees bank account. Please ensure that your Bank details are included in your grant application.

Print this page
Bookmark this page